Kay Wilemon
Director of Adoptive Parent Services
Kay comes to LifeLong with a degree in Communications and a background in Customer Service and Insurance. In previous roles, Kay often helped families through very challenging situations. Now she brings that compassion, dedication, and support to her role as Director of Adoptive Parent Services. Kay is part of a "non-traditional" family herself. As a parent and step-parent, she understands and appreciates the beauty of a family created by love, regardless of biology. She's witnessed the miracle of adoption in her own extended family, and is excited to bring that joy to the adoptive families she helps! When she's not working, you can find Kay at home with her husband, two adorable daughters, and sweet little son.
Q&A with Kay
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What do you do at LifeLong?
I am the Director of Adoptive Parent Services, where we focus on preparing families for their opportunity to adopt. We provide support, education, and guidance to waiting families. I am also a Case Coordinator and work with families once they move to the connection phase of their adoption journey. I also enjoy networking with other adoption professionals at the AAAA conference.
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When did you join the LifeLong team?
I was lucky enough to join the team in January of 2019. I've enjoyed every minute since!
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What motivates you to get up and go to work?
Knowing that what we do actually makes a real difference for everyone involved. We give expectant mothers a voice and we help adoptive parents grow their families.
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What is your favorite inspirational, motivational, or positive-thinking quote?
“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.” — Groucho Marx
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What's your personal connection to adoption?
My niece was placed for adoption at birth and was raised by a great family. When she was old enough, she reached out to her birth family and now has two amazing families.
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What advice do you have for our waiting families?
Trust the process and keep the faith. It's easy to focus on things that don't work, but it's so much more important to focus on the things that do.
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Who inspires you and why?
My kids, who have the best imaginations and always manage to make lemonade out of lemons. A cardboard box? No — for them it's a castle!
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What is your favorite family tradition?
Decorating the house for someone's birthday while they're sleeping the night before. That way, they wake up to a surprise celebration of them!
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What are you passionate about?
Advocating for those who can't advocate for themselves and living by the golden rule — treat others as you would want to be treated.
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Where is your favorite place to be?
The Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. If you've never been, go!
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What is one thing you cannot resist?
A good bonfire. It will always be the one thing I can't say no to.
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What's your favorite TV show to binge-watch?
Cooking shows & 90s sitcom reruns. Chopped, Pioneer Woman, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond....
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What's your favorite movie quote?
"For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack." — The Jungle Book